The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-02-10
THE FARM ERS
Looking to Their Interest,
Honest Tillers of the Soil in Convention
biblical Recorder. /

biblical Recorder
Among the important and signifi-
cant events of the past few weeks, the
two conventions of farmers held in this
city are specially worthy of notice.
Both of these meetings were largely
attended-much more SO than even
the most interested of our people ex-
pected-and strange as it may seem,
the views expressed and embodied in
the resolutions adopted by the two
| bodies were the same, or SO nearly so
as not to attract special notice.
For many years the farmers of this
State have quietly left all public mat
ters in the hand of lew men who
held positions of honor or profit, and
who planned campaigns and made
laws. But either because this is the
day of organizations, or because of the
fact that the interests of the farmers
were neglected, they have determined
to at least make an honest effort to
unite their forces and better their con-
dition by SO shaping the legislation
Of the State as to render it friendly to
their interests. They have now or
ganized The Farmers Convention Of
North Carolina, with a constitution,
an organ and officers, and will hold
annual sessions. What all this will
ultimately lead to no man at this early
stage can predict. That i. will lead
to good results we confidently believe.
The farmers are the best and most
moral class of our people. Their aims
and designs, however mistaken they
may sometimes be, are all honorable
and for the best interests OF the State.
| They are patriotic, honest and true
citizens, and as such we bid them God
speed in all they undertake for the
Improvement Of their condition.
For many years, the farmers of the
State have failed to see benefits of the
Department of Agriculture commensu-
rate with its cost. And it is safe to
say that the average farmer in the
State has never derived any benefit
from the Department. This has led
to great and widespread opposition
to the Department. SO much SO that
the Department will of necessity have
to be re-organized and brought closer
to the farmers Of the State. Then,
too, they have never been exactly
satisfied with the disposition made to
the Land Scrip given by the general
Government for the establishment OF
Agricultural Colleges. This fund
they ask to be appropriated to the
establishment Of an Agricultural and
Scientific College. There is possibly
not farmer in North Carolina who
wishes to see horde of foreigners set
tied in the State. They cordially
welcome people from the other States,
and would be glad to have as neigh
bors men and women from New York,
Pennsylvania, &c, but the Irishman
from Ireland, or the Crofter from
Scotland, or the brigand from Italy
they do not want, and are unwilling tC
spend thousands of dollars a year in
importing these people to our shores.
The farmers who attended these
meetings were, in the main, tillers o
the soil-men of large experience ant
larger common sense. 1t was re
markable assemblage of remarkable
men; unschopled and unaccustomec
to public speaking many ofthem were
and yet some of these men made
/ speeches of equal force and sense K
any recently delivered in our Nationa
Legislature.
What the Legislature will Edo witt
their requests we are unable to say
Il IS reasonable to suppose that som
of them, at least, will be adopted
The farmers are not in the most amia
bic of moods, and have just cause 70
their decided action. Mr.. Leazer, @
Iredell, in many respects the wises
man in the present General Assembly
in speaking against the giving of tn
: convicts in the Penistentlary free c
. charge to the private Railroad Syn
= dicates, incidentally drew the follow
ing true picture of their condition
He said: "Gentlemen Of the House
what is the condition of your people
You come from the rugged Appala
chan hills of the West, from the sound
> ing shore of the Atlatic, from the boz
ders of the Old Dominion on the circl
of the golden belt, from the rich tel
; ritory of the South sometimes revelin
in the wealth of the aeecy staple, c
you hail from the sombre pines of tn
great Eastern plateau, or, lovelies
best land of all, you represent tn
sturdy yeomanry of the plucky Piec
mont: What say you is the conditio
e tof your people1
e 81 saw this country when the clouc
d Of war lifted in '65. saw the was
{ and wreck of devastating armies, oil
S country desolate, our people prostrat
2 no money, no domestic animals, Il
e sc4ntlest supply of food for man an
Q beast. saw our foot-sore, battl
I Il